Marissa set her suitcase down on the front step of the Duane Street Newsboys Lodging House. She started at the front door. It had been ten years since she had been in Manhattan. Ten years since she had seen her Uncle Gene. Ten years since she had seen her only friends in the world, the Newsies. How many of them would still be there? Would they recognize her? She picked up her suitcase and entered. The front room was filled with Newsies. Some were playing cards. Some were talking, and some were just lounging around.

Marissa scanned the room and only recognized four faces. They really hadn't changed that much, matured, but not changed. The first one she recognized had black curly hair, a cigar in his mouth and a mischievous grin, Racetrack Higgins. So he had taken up smoking cigars? The next one was sitting beside Race. He also had curly hair, but it was a light brown. He looked like he had just heard a secret, probably about a girl, and couldn't keep it in, Mush. Then she noticed the two that she had missed the most. They were sitting on the stairs talking. One had a red bandanna tied around his neck. The same bandanna that had saved his life when a beam had fallen from a building and would have hit him if he hadn't moved to pick up the bandanna from out of the mud. Marissa smiled as she remembered how he swore to never let go of that bandanna, Jack Kelly. She saw that he kept that promise. And then there was the one that she remembered the most. He had blond hair, the most stunning blue eyes (at least she thought they were both blue, the other had a brown patch over it), and a smile that lit up his whole face, Kid Blink. None of the Newsies had seen her enter. She dropped her suitcase with a loud thud. Everybody stopped what they were doing. The room became deathly quiet. The four she recognized stood up. They looked at her as though they recognized her. All of the Newsies were in awe at how beautiful she was. They couldn't but wonder what she was doing in the Lodging House. Jack stepped forward.

"Can I's help ya, Miss?" He looked at her puzzled. "Do I know ya?"

Marissa smiled. "Ya sure can. Is Eugene Kloppman in?" She knew the Kloppman was in. He was always in. "And, yes, you do know me, Cowboy. Are ya still dreamin' of Santa Fe?" Jack was in shock that she knew his nickname and his dream of Santa Fe.

"How do ya.....," Jack started to ask when Kloppman exited his office to see why the boys were so quiet. He saw Jack talking to a lovely girl with deep auburn hair that fell around her shoulders. She had a pale complexion that looked as soft as silk. She looked past Jack and made eye contact with Kloppman. He knew who she was.

"Marissa?!" Kloppman half asked, half exclaimed. Marissa's face lit up. She pushed past Jack and ran into Kloppman's arms.

"Uncle Gene!" She hugged Kloppman. Jack, Race, Mush and Kid Blink couldn't believe their eyes, especially Kid Blink. He couldn't believe that this was the same girl who'd had a crush on him when they were eight.

"What are ya doin' here," Kloppman asked as he looked at his lovely niece.

"Well, when I turned eighteen, child services let me go and I headed here. You are the only family I have left." Kloppman knew that his brother and sister-in-law had died several years back of scarlet fever. He had wanted to take Marissa in, but couldn't afford it at the time. The last time he had seen her was when she was eight and she had spent the summer with him. She turned to the boys. She looked at Jack. "Do ya remember me now, Cowboy?"

Jack stepped forward and hugged her. "Sure do. Boy, ya've changed."

"So have you. She laughed as he poked her side. He still remembered that she was ticklish. Race was the next in line.

"Are ya still a brat?" Marissa gave him a teasing glare.

"Are ya still gambling?" He, too, hugged her.

Mush was next. "Ya toined out ta be as pretty as I always thought ya would." Marissa blushed slightly.

"And I see that your still a flirt." She hugged him. Then she stood in front of Kid Blink. She smiled and he did too.

Blink didn't know what to say. He was unbelievable nervous. "I've missed ya, Marissa." Marissa nodded.

"Me, too." She hugged him and was surprised when he kissed her on the cheek. She placed her hand on her cheek as she felt it tingle. She turned to Kloppman and smiled. She walked back over to her uncle and wrapped her arms around his waist. "So, Uncle Gene, who are all of these new faces?" Kloppman scanned the room. He had never realized how many boys had come and gone.

"Well, dat's Boots, Crutchy, Pie-eater, Snoddy, Skittery, Specs, Bumlets an' Itey." He pointed at all of the Newsies in the room. "That's not all of dem. Some still ain't back." He looked at Marissa and smiled. He still couldn't believe that his niece was there and how beautiful she had grown to be. "Fellas, dis is my niece, Marissa Kloppman."

Jack walked over and put his arm around Marissa. "Guys, Marissa may be beautiful, but don't let dat fool ya. She's got a sharp tongue, an' if I remember right she's worse dan Spot." Marissa gave him a playful slap in the chest.

"And if I remember right, you and Spot were always the ones to feel how sharp it was." Jack and the others laughed. "Is Spot still around?"

"Sure is, and as cocky as ever," Blink answered. She looked at him as he said this. She mad eye contact and couldn't pull from his gaze. It felt like he was staring into her soul. How could one eye have so much power?

"So, where'd child services have ya placed," Kloppman asked.

Marissa wrinkled her nose as she looked at her uncle. "Some small town in Wisconsin called Avoka. It was so small that it didn't have Newsies." The boys couldn't believe that. "So what ya been up to?"

All the boys laughed. "Nothin' big. Just beatin' down Pulitzer and Hearst last year." As much as he tried to sound indifferent about it, Jack said this with a lot of pride.

That night Jack, Race, Mush, Blink and Marissa stayed up talking about the last ten years. The boys told of their adventures and the strike. Marissa told of her parents deaths and bouncing around from horrible foster home to another. By morning all five friends were asleep in the front room. Jack was asleep in a chair. Race was asleep in the floor along with Mush. Blink and Marissa were asleep on the couch. Marissa had her head placed on Blink's leg while he had his head on the arm of the couch.

Kloppman walked out of his room to find this sight. He smiled. It wasn't much different from ten years ago. He walked over and quietly woke the boys. He told Jack to put Marissa in his room. Jack gently lifted her off the couch and carried her into Kloppman's room.

Marissa woke up around noon. She could hear her stomach growling. She got up and changed into her favorite green skirt and white shirt. She walked into her uncle's office and found him doing the books. "Morning, Uncle Gene." She kissed his cheek.

"Mornin', Rissa." She sat down on the other side of his desk. "Ya hungry?" Marissa nodded. "Well, da boys should be at Tibby's by now. So ya know where dat is?" Marissa nodded, again. It wasn't far from Newsie Square. Marissa remembered New York like she had never left it. Kloppman handed her fifty cents and told her to join them. Marissa smiled and left for Tibby's.

*****

"Kid? Blink?" Spot was waving his hand in front of Blink's face. Blink snapped from his thoughts. "What's da matta wid ya," Spot asked. Jack sat down with his cup of coffee. He was having trouble staying awake.

"Marissa's what's wrong," Jack said after he took a sip of the strong brew.

"Marissa," Spot asked as the bells over the door rang. Spot looked towards the door and saw a beautiful girl with auburn hair walk in. Spot couldn't take his eyes off of her.

"Dat's Marissa." Just then Marissa spotted Jack and Blink and Spot. She walked over and took the empty seat beside Blink. "Mornin', Sunshine." Marissa shot Jack a glare. He also remembered how grouchy she was in the morning. Spot kept staring and it was getting on Marissa's nerves.

"Take a picture. It lasts longer," she grouched. Spot's mouth dropped open. He finally realized who she was.

"Marissa Kloppman?"

Spot Conlon." Marissa smiled. "How ya been, Spot?" They had been friends, but they were both so stubborn that they had fought a lot.

"Good. Where ya been?"

"You name it, I was there." Marissa picked up a menu and began to look it over. She found what she wanted and gave her order to the waiter. A few minutes later he brought her a fruit salad. All three boys looked at the salad funny. "I know, fruit, gross. But this is my breakfast. Besides, it's better than the stuff Jack's trying to drink." Jack looked down at his barely touched coffee. He smiled. He knew Marissa was a light eater, and she knew that he had always hated coffee. They had been best friends when they were younger. They knew everything about each other, at eight and nine anyway. He knew she'd had a crush on Blink, and that she had kissed him before she left to go back to Boston. He also knew that Blink had hated it. Jack wondered if Blink would hate it now. All Blink had talked about that morning was Marissa. Marissa didn't say much as she ate her fruit salad. She watched all of the guys. The new ones seemed to be nice. She couldn't wait to hear their stories. She knew that everyone of them would be interesting. She finished her salad and noticed that Blink was looking at her. She smiled at him, and he blushed. After lunch she headed back to the Lodging House. She had to unpack and get settled in.

She was rather surprised when Blink walked into her room. She was half way through with her unpacking. She had decided to take the room in the attic. It had been the room she had stayed in ten years ago. She was busy putting her clothes in her dresser drawers when Blink entered. He didn't knock. The door was open. He sat down on her bed and watched her. She was genuinely surprised and happy to see him.

"What are you doing back so soon?" She was busy digging in her suitcase now. She pulled out several pictures.

"I was thinkin' about ya an' wondered if ya might need some help." Marissa smiled as she laid the pictures down and picked up the dust rag that was beside her suitcase. She walked over to the shelves that lined the wall and began to dust them off.

"Has no one used this room since I was last here?" Blink shook his head. "Can you hand me those pictures?" Blink nodded and picked up the stack of pictures. He walked over and handed them to her. As Marissa took them their hands touched. They met each others' gaze and they both felt electricity flow between them. Marissa blushed and so did Blink. He slowly leaned in to kiss her. She pulled away and began to set her pictures up. "Thanks, Blink."

Blink just stood there for a moment before he answered. "No problem." He walked towards the door. "If ya ain't needin' anything else.....," he trailed off. There was an awkward silence.

"I don't think I do." Marissa turned around and Blink was already gone. She shook her head. Why did I pull away?

*****

Blink ran his fingers through his hair and put his hat on. He walked down Duane Street. He wasn't really heading in any particular direction; he was just walking. "What made me think I could do dat," he asked himself out loud. He hadn't realized that there was someone behind him.

"Do what?" Blink jumped and turned to see Jack standing a few feet behind him. He placed his hand over his heart and closed his eyes. He was relieved it was only Jack.

"Nuttin. I jus' did somthin' stupid dat's all." Jack walked up to him and placed his hand on Blink's shoulder. "So where ya headin', Jacky?"

"I was thinkin' a visit ta Medda's was in order." Jack laughed as Blink got a huge smile on his face. They both head for Medda's to catch the late afternoon show.

*****

Marissa woke up when she heard the door to her room slowly open. She looked at her hand and realized that she had fallen asleep with the paint brush still in it. She rubbed her eyes and looked at the door. Jack was peaking around the door.

"Hey, Rissa. Can I come in?" Marissa nodded and sat up. Jack walked in and sat beside her. He looked around the room and notice how nice it looked. Marissa had been there for a little over a week, and she had spent everyday fixing up her room. She had bought new curtains and paint. She had been painting for the last three days, but she had finally finished. Jack finally looked at Marissa. He couldn't help laughing.

"What?" Jack reached over and touched her nose.

"Did ya miss da wawl?" Marissa touched her nose and felt the dry paint. "I like what ya did ta da joint." Marissa smiled. Jack looked around the room again. He got up and walked over to the shelves that had her pictures on it. He picked up one that had five kids in it. "It's funny how we've all changed," Jack said as he looked at the picture of them.

"Yeah, I know. You were nine and there rest of us were eight." She watched him for a minute. She could tell something was bothering him. "Jack, you didn't come up here to see the room or talk about old times. What's on your mind?"

Jack turned back to her. "You an' Blink." Jack walked over to her and sat on the floor. "Marissa, somethin' happened between ya two. I know dis because Blink is actin' funny and he nevah wants ta talk about ya. When ya came back he could keep his eyes off ya, an' now he won't stay in da room wid ya. What happened?"

Marissa squirmed. "He tried to kiss me, and I pulled away. He won't talk to me, and I don't know what to say. Ten years ago I would have loved to have kissed him, but I don't know how I feel now. I feel that there's something between us, but I'm not sure if it's real or the memory of the past." Jack didn't say anything. He just listened. She talked for more than five minutes about how she felt when she was around Blink. "Like you would know what I mean," was all she said when she finished, and she did this sarcastically.

"Yeah, I do. I feel like dat when I see Sarah. But, I know it's still jus' a memory." Marissa nodded. Ya have ta talk ta him, Rissa." Marissa nodded. She suddenly found it hard to breathe. Her heart was pounding so fast she was sure Jack could hear it. She swallowed and tried to calm herself. She was scared to face him, but Jack was right, it had to be done.

"Where is he?" Marissa tried to hide her nervousness, but had no luck. Jack smiled as her voice shook.

"He's not back yet." Just then Marissa's stomach growled. She placed her hand on her stomach in an attempt to silence it. She and Jack both laughed. "Ya hungry?" She didn't have to answer. "Wanna grab a bite?" Marissa nodded. Jack stood up and left, so she could get cleaned up. Ten minutes later she met Jack in the front room. They headed towards Tibby's.

It was late when they returned and almost everybody was asleep. Everybody except Blink. He was sitting on the stairs waiting for them to return. Jack and Marissa had been laughing till they saw Blink.

"Heya, Blink," Jack said as he tried to catch his breath. Blink didn't answer; he just stared at the couple. he knew they weren't a couple, but they looked like it. Marissa knew it was her time to talk to Blink. She whispered something in Jack's ear. He nodded and pushed past Blink.

"Blink, we need to talk." Marissa hoped her voice wasn't shaking. Blink stood and followed her to the couch. After they were seated, she took a deep breath. "Blink, about what happened the other day." She paused for a minute. Everything she had planned to say suddenly sounded all weong, but she knew she had to say it. "Blink, when you tried to kiss me I pulled away because I don't know how I feel. I care about you, but I don't know if it's in that way." She took a breath and Blink took this opportunity to say something.

"Fine, but did ya feel somthin' between us?" His voice was even. There was no emotion to it.

Marissa didn't answer right away. "Yes, but I can't tell if it's something real or if it's the memory of my crush when we were eight." Blink nodded. "I need time to see if it's real or not." Blink nodded, again. He didn't say anything. He just stood and walked up the stairs. He turned around on the third step and said something that broke Marissa's heart.

"I know dat what I feel is real, but I can't have feelin's for someone who don't share dose feelin's." Marissa could have sworn that she saw his chin quiver. She took a ragged breath to keep her's from doing the same. She wathed him till he disappeared into the bunk room. She continued to sit on the couch for close to an hour before she went to bed.

The next morning Marissa made sure not to get up till all of the Newsies were gone. Her mission for the day was to clean the bunk room and the wash room till they were spotless. She didn't know why she was even going to try, but she had to do something.

*****

At the distribution office everyone could tell that Blink was in a bad mood, but only Jack knew the reason why. He walked over to Blink and put his arm around his neck.

"Hey, Blink."

"Hey, Jack." Blink gave Jack a glance with his visible eye.

"Who ya sellin' wid taday?" Blink shrugged.

"I's usually sell wid Race, but I'm in no mood for his wise cracks." Jack nodded. Race could sometimes cut too seep with his jokes.

"Den yer sellin' wid me." Jack used the strike leaders tone he only used when there was no arguing with what he said. Blink nodded. "Good, cause we's need ta talk." They left the distribution office to the World Building. The rest of the day they sold their papes and talked about Marissa. By the end of the day Blink understood thy she had said what she did.

When they arrived back at the Lodging House, around eight that night, they found Marissa on her hands and knees while she finished scrubbing the wash room floor. She stood up when she heard Jack clear his throat. She wiped her brow and looked at them.

"What'd ya do ta da place," Jack asked. His and Blink's eyes were as big as balloons.

"I cleaned. Bet ya didn't know the floor was white?" Marissa asked as she walked towards them. Both of the boys shook their heads.

"Have da odders seen dis," Blink asked. Marissa shook her head. "Boy, are dey in for a surprise!" Blink exclaimed as he began to laugh. Jack and Marissa agreed.

"Well, I'm gonna change." Marissa looked down at her dirty and grime stained dress before she left the two boys staring at the clean rooms.

Marissa was busy brushing her hair when there was a knock on her door. "Come in." She expected to see Jack enter, but instead it was a hesitant Blink that entered. She laid down her brush and waited to hear what he had to say.

"I talked ta Jack. I understand why ya said dat stuff last night." Blink was leaning against the wall by the door. Marissa watched him for a minute. He was avoiding her gaze.

"So are we okay?" Blink then looked up they made eye contact and he didn't answer for a while. It was almost as if he had to think about it, but he was mesmerized by her green eyes. He slowly smiled.

"Youse may not be my goyl, but I don't want to loose you as my friend." Marissa smiled as she walked over to him and hugged him. As she pulled away, Blink had to ask. "Why'd ya clean da rooms?"

"Because they were filthy, and after tomorrow I won't have time. I'm starting to look for a job."

"Why don't ya be a Newsie?"

Marissa smiled. Blink sounded hurt that she hadn't considered it. "You know I'm not good at `improvin' da truth'." She did a perfect imitation of Jack's New York accent and his favorite saying. Blink laughed. She started to leave the attic. "I'm hungry. Do you and Jack wanna join me in the kitchen?"

"Yeah, I'll go get Jacky." Five minutes later Jack and Blink entered the kitchen to find Marissa making sandwiches. They all sat and talked about the past. They went to bed around ten-thirty that night.

The next morning Marissa woke to someone gently shaking her shoulder. She rolled over and groaned. Every muscle in her body ached. "Just give me a few more minutes, Uncle Gene." She grumbled as she pulled the blankets over her head.

"Mornin' ta ya too, Sunshine." Marissa pulled the covers down to find Blink kneeling beside her bed. She groaned again before she started to sit up. "If yer gonna look for a job ya need ta get up. We're awl levin' an you'll need ta buy a pape before dey're all gone." Blink began to stand up. Marissa was wide awake now. "I know that you won't be sold out by the time I'm ready," she shot in a teasing manor. Blink shot her a look that showed that he was hurt, but then he smiled. She returned his smile as she climbed out of bed. It only took her an hour to get dressed, ready and out on the streets. She headed for the fancier neighborhoods. She knew she wanted a governess position, and that she would only work in a factory as a last resort. She reached Park Row in twenty minutes and found Blink selling near Battery Park. She walked up to him and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned with a paper held out for his next customer. He almost dropped the pape when he saw her.

"Got a good headline today?" Blink just shrugged. He was at a loss for words.

All of the feelings he had been fighting for her came back anew. She was beautiful in her navy dress with her auburn hair pulled up in a neat coiffure. He finally found he was able to speak.

"Dey've been betta." He looked her over again as if it would be the last time he would ever see her. "Ya look nice." Marissa blushed and tried to ignore the feeling that rushed over her when he said that. "Ya shouldn't have a problem finding a job."

"I hope not. Now, can I buy a pape?" She handed Blink a penny, and he handed her a paper in return. Once again their fingers touched and they both felt that bolt of electricity. Marissa quickly took the paper and turned to leave. She was only five feet away when Blink called out to her.

"Wait!" Marissa turned to see Blink jogging up to her. "Ya might need some good luck." As he said this he took off his cabby hat. Marissa took it. "It's my lucky one."

"It's your only one," Marissa said as she put it on. It was a little big and fell over her eyes. She lifted her head so she could see him. "Thanks." She smiled, and Blink unsuccessfully tried to suppress a laugh. She shot him a look before she stuck her tongue out at him. "See ya at Tibby's."

"Tibby's," Blink echoed. He watched her disappear into the crowd. He shook his head. He knew there was no way to fight his feelings for her. He then decided that there was nothing he could do but wait for her to realize how she felt for him. A minute after she had disappeared he started calling out his improved headlines.

Marissa had walked down to the start of Central Park. She sat on a bench and opened the newspaper. She also took off Blink's hat so she could see. She began to look over the ads for governesses. She was so deeply engrossed in the act of reading each and every ad that she didn't hear a man clearing his throat. She finally heard it and looked up to notice that it wasn't a Newsie. She tried to see his face, but he was standing directly in the sun.

"Can I help you?"

"You dropped this back there." He handed her a section of the paper.

"Oh, thank you." She took it and laid it under Blink's had. When she looked up the man still hadn't left.

"Are you looking for a job?" Marissa thought that he was being very forward by asking that, but it didn't bother her. In the last two weeks she had gotten used to people being very forward and blunt. She did live with twenty guys after all. She nodded before she answered.

"Yes, actually. Do you know anybody who needs a governess?" While she asked this he picked up her paper and cabby hat. He eyed the hat funny, but didn't ask any questions.

"Actually, I do. My brother and his wife need a governess for their two children. They haven't placed an ad yet." Marissa looked at his face for the first time. She was quite surprised to see that he was handsome. He had dark brown hair, soft brown eyes. His skin was tanned which showed he loved the outdoors. She could tell he was in his mid-twenties.

"Really?" She sounded doubtful.

"Yes, really. I'm heading over there now. If you like, you can accompany me to my brothers and have an interview. My brother and his wife are bother home, which is a miracle. Does that sound all right?" He never took his eyes off her. He watched as she looked at the paper and gnawed on her lower lip. She looked back up at him. He could see the answer in her eyes, but what she said next shock him.

"My friends would kill me if they found out I went somewhere with a stranger." The man flushed when he realized he had never introduced himself and that he didn't know he name either. She stuck out her hand and introduced herself. "I'm Marissa Kloppman."

He took her hand in a gentle hand shake. She couldn't help but notice how soft His hand was. Especially compared to Blink's and the other Newsies. "I'm Eric Harrison. It is a pleasure to meet you."

Marissa smiled. "The feeling's mutual."

"So will you join me to my brother's?"

"Lead the way." He stood and helped her up. As they started walking, she noticed he was carrying her had and paper. "Can I have my hat, please?"

Eric handed her the cabby hat. He watched as she put it on, carefully putting it far enough back so that it didn't fall in her eyes. He smiled as he watched her. "If you don't mind my commenting, I find it rather odd that a girl would wear a guys hat." She didn't comment right away. She was shocked by the statement. She had never thought of wearing Blink's hat as odd.

"No not at all. I got it from a friend as a good luck charm. He said it's His lucky hat. It's His only hat." Marissa smiled as she remembered Blink this morning. Eric noticed the warm smile.

"Is this friend your.....uh....." He paused as he searched for the right word. "Your beau?" Marissa couldn't help smiling.

"No, he's one of my dearest friends. I've been gone from New York for ten years, but it feels like I never left. There were only for from ten years ago, but now I have twenty of them." She smiled and Eric didn't look shocked. He wouldn't. He figure she was talking about mostly girls.

"What are their names?"

Marissa looked shocked. Every time someone has asked about her friends she has told their names and people thought she was making it up. "Are you sure you want to hear them?" He nodded. "Okay, here it goes." She took a deep breath. "First, the one that gave me the hat is Kid Blink." Marissa paused, waiting to see if he said anything about the strange name, but he didn't. "Then there's Jack, Racetrack, Mush, they're the original four. The new ones are Snaps, Boots, Crutchy, Snip-shooter, Pie-Eater, Snoddy, Bumlets, Specs, Skittery, Spot. Oh Spot was a friend from ten years ago too. Um....I'm still trying to remember all of them." She blushed slightly at admitting that she didn't remember all of their names.

"Your friends have odd names. The only normal name was Jack."

"His nickname is Cowboy. All of them have real names, but I only know the names of the original four." She thought about her friends and remembered three more. "Oh, there's David and Less Jacobs, they're brothers, and then there's Tin Pin."

Eric watched her as she talked about her friends. He face lit up as she mentioned each one of them. She stopped suddenly, and Eric snapped from His thoughts. "What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry. I've been talking too much. Tell me about your brother and His family." Eric stopped her by touching her arm. She looked up at him. "What?"

"We're here." He led her up the front steps. He knocked and the door opened. He waited till Marissa entered before he entered. The butler nodded and went to find Eric's brother.

"Uncle Eric!" Marissa jumped as she heard two children squeal. She looked at Eric as he knelt down and opened His arms as two beautiful children collided into him. She smiled as she watched the young boy and girl hug their uncle. The girl looked up at Marissa and smiled.

"Hi, I'm Elise." She stuck her hand out.

Marissa bent down and took the little hand. "Well, hello, I'm Marissa." Marissa then looked at the little boy. "And who are you?"

"Richard."

"It's nice to meet you Richard and Elise." Both children smiled. They turned around when they heard their mother's heels clicking on the marble floor.

"Richard, Elise, what did I did I tell you?" She sounded angry. Marissa had a feeling that the children had left their nursery without permission. She slowly stood up.

"To get Uncle Eric," the both piped up.

"Very good." The lovely lady then noticed Marissa. "Hello, I'm Karen Harrison."

"I'm Marissa Kloppman." Karen looked at Eric and smiled. Eric knew what the smile meant and shook His head.

"Karen, Miss Kloppman is looking for a governess job." Karen's face lit up. She excused them and ushered Marissa into the parlor. Karen shot the door and motioned for Marissa to take a seat in any of the chairs. She chose the chair closest to the window.

"Now, Miss Kloppman....," Marissa interrupted her.

"Marissa, please."

"Marissa, do you have any experience with being a governess?" Marissa took off her hat and laid in her lap.

"No, but I often took care of the younger children in the foster homes that I was placed in. Some of our foster parents wouldn't feed us for days, so I would sneak into the kitchen late at night and fix small diners for the other children. I took care of the most of the time. I was a parent to over ten children over the last five years." Marissa knew that she had no formal experience, but she did know how to take care of children.

Karen looked shocked. "Your foster parents didn't take care of any of their charges?" Marissa shook their heads.

"They would only take care of us when a new child came in, or a month before an inspection. Then they would treat us like we were royalty. I think most of the families did it for the money they were sent to take care of us. They would pocket most of it." Karen looked appalled.

"You had to grow up fast then didn't you?" Marissa nodded. "Well, you've met Elise and Richard. Have you ever taught children their school lessons?" Marissa shook her head.

"No, but it can't be too hard. I'm a very quick learner." Karen nodded.

"Well, Marissa, let me tell you about the job. You will be taking care of Elise and Richard. They are nine year old twins. We would only require your services during the week. On weekends we usually go up to our house in the country. You would be getting paid vacations. We take three two week vacations during the year. We go and visit family in Boston. Our family has children so their nanny takes care of them. You will be making $20 a week." Marissa nearly choked on her own breath. That was more than she ever thought she would be making. She knew it was more than a Newsie made in a year. "Do you think that you can handle two twins?"

"I live with twenty guys. If I can handle them, I can handle two twins." Marissa was beaming with confidence.

"Twenty boys? You live with twenty boys?" Karen was shocked.

"Yes. My uncle runs the Newsboys Lodging House on Duane Street. There are more or less twenty boys there at one time." Karen nodded.

"You may be just what this family needed." Marissa found the statement odd, but didn't ask any questions. "So when can you start?"

"Today, if you like. I have to meet my friends for lunch, but I can be here by, oh, one-thirty?"

"One-thirty would be good." Karen and Marissa stood to leave the Parlor.

*****

Shortly after the parlor door closed Sean, Eric's brother, entered the foyer. They talked about their business, a factory that could be considered a sweat shop. They had been having problems with their employees since the Newsies had won their strike against Pulitzer. The strike had brought the unfair treatment to sweat shop kids to the city's attention. Now, they were having problems getting people to buy their product because of the sweat shop.

"Eric, we have to do something about the loss in profits. The street rats are demanding higher wages, and our revenue is going down. If this keeps up, we'll be out of business within the year!" Sean was pacing the foyer.

"Sean, calm down. Let's go into your office." Eric led the way to Sean's office. When they were both behind the office's closed doors, Eric tried to calm His brother. "Panicking won't help the situation any. We have to improve the conditions that the factory is run in, and then the street rats will be happy. If the conditions improve, then the customers come back. It will take some time, but I think we can do it." Eric was sounding too positive for Sean.

"Why aren't you panicking?"

"Because that doesn't help anything." Eric was calm. He was lounging in one of the leather chairs in the office.

"It's all the damn Newsies faults!" Sean exploded. Eric just nodded. He hated the Newsies as much as Sean, but what was complaining about it going to do?

*****

An hour and a half after Marissa and Karen left for the parlor the door opened. "Well, Marissa, I'll see you at one-thirty then." Marissa nodded. She turned to leave and jumped when she ran into Eric. He placed His hands on her shoulders to steady her. Once she was steadied she turned back to Karen.

"One-thirty." She left the house with Eric following. As they reached the sidewalk he offered her His arm. "Actually, I'm meeting my friends for lunch and it's probably in the other direction." She wasn't trying to get rid of him; she was trying to save him some time.

"I insist that you let me escort you to your luncheon. Besides, a young, attractive woman should never be with out an escort." Marissa smiled and took the arm he had offered. The began to walk back towards Central Park. "Where are you suppose to meet your friends?"

"Tibby's. Do you know where that is?" Eric nodded. They walked in silence. Marissa stopped in front of the window at Tibby's. "This is me." She stuck out her hand. "It has been a pleasure, Mr. Harrison. Thank you."

He took her hand in His. "Eric, please?" And the pleasure was all mine." He brought her hand up to His lips and gave it a light kiss. Marissa slightly blushed.

"Well, good-bye, Eric." He nodded His good-bye and she entered Tibby's.

Blink was the only one who had seen the couple out on the side walk. He wasn't happy to see Marissa with a strange man, not to mention an older man, but His blood ran cold when he saw the man kiss her hand. Nobody noticed His mood change because they all looked at the door as Marissa entered.

"Hey guys!" She was answered by various greetings. She scanned the room till she found Blink sitting at a table not far from the window. She approached him and took off His hat.

Blink's mood lightened when he saw her take it off. "You're right, it's luck." She tried to hand it back to him. He put His hands up showing he wouldn't accept it.

"Keep it. So did ya get a job?" Blink asked as His always present grin returned.

Marissa pulled up a chair and sat beside him. "Sure did. I start at one-thirty. I'm the governess to two adorable twins named Elise and Richard Harrison. I'll be paid twenty dollars a week." Blink nearly choked on His drink, but Marissa didn't notice. "I get paid vacations and weekends off. I do have to teach the children their lessons come fall, but I can do that." When she finished she couldn't tell who was happier, her or Blink.

"Did you say twenty dollars a week?" He barely got the question out.

"Uh-huh." Marissa nodded. He reached over and gave her a hug and kissed her cheek. Once again she felt her cheek tingle at His touch.

Jack saw this and walked over. "Why's everybody so happy?"

Marissa couldn't contain her excitement any longer. She jumped up and hugged Jack. "I found a great job!" She squealed and then laughed. She released Jack, but kept her arm around his waist. he had His arm around her shoulder. She looked at Blink. He looked so serious.

Blink couldn't help it, he had to know who that guy was. "So who's da guy dat walked ya here?" Blink hoped His jealousy didn't show. It did, but only Jack and Marissa noticed it. By now most of the Newsies had gathered around the table to hear what all of the excitement was about.

"His name is Eric. He got me the job." She never took her eyes off Blink.

"So he's yer employer," Jack asked. MARISSA shook her head.

"No, he's my employer's brother. He helped me find the job and was kind enough to walk me here. That's all." She said the last as she looked Blink in the eye. he nodded and accepted this. He, once again, was smiling.

After she finished eating she began to walk back to the Harrison's. She jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to find Jack behind her. She hadn't realized she had tensed until she relaxed.

"God, Jack, don't do that!" She playfully smacked His arm.

"Sorry."

"Come to check out where I work?" She finally asked as they started walking.

"Somethin' like dat." She shifted His remaining papers in His hand. After a long pause he finally said why he had caught up to her for. "Be careful, Rissa. Ya know nuttin' about these people, especially deir brodder. And from what Blink told me he saw, I don't trust da guy." Marissa stopped walking, forcing Jack to look at her.

"You don't know him, Jack, and you don't trust him." She crossed her arms over her chest. "That doesn't sound like the Jack Kelly I know. you usually give people the benefit of the doubt. So, why?"

Jack took a deep breath. "He's not like us. He won't understand how we live. I don't want ta see ya get hoit, dat's all." She smiled at His protectiveness. "Besides, I won't be able ta stop Blink if `e does hoit ya." Jack smiled as she gave a soft laugh. They started to walk again. From then on it was the usual conversation in between Jack selling the last of His papes.

Marissa spent the rest of the day getting to know the twins. They were darling children. She had them bathed, in bed and asleep by eight o'clock. She put her hat on and was ready to leave when Karen caught her.

"Marissa, you can move in here, if you like. We have an extra just off of the children's."

Marissa smiled at the offer. "Thank you, but I live with my Uncle Gene. But if you need to get a hold of me, we just got a phone. Just ask the operator to connect you with Eugene Kloppman." Karen nodded. "I'll be here by eight tomorrow." Karen nodded again. They said their good nights and Marissa began her walk home. Seeing as how it was mid-summer it was still fairly light out.

When she entered the Lodging House, it was empty except for Kloppman, who was on the phone. He hung up shortly after she entered. "How was your day, Rissa?"

"Good, tiring, but good. Keeping up with nine year old twins is so tiring. How do you keep up with twenty boys?"

"It's hard, but I manage." He smiled and followed Marissa into the kitchen. She was dipping out a bowl of the soup Kloppman had fixed. She tasted it and wrinkled her nose. Her dear Uncle Gene wasn't much of a cook, but it beat eating at Tibby's again that day. She set her bowl on the counter and hopped up on to it.

"Where's everybody?"

"Medda's." Marissa finished her soup and told her uncle goodnight.

*****

Marissa was sitting on the picnic blanket and watched Elise and Richard play tag a few feet away. She hadn't even noticed the two Newsies that were selling their papes just beyond the twins. There were brought to her attention when the twins say down beside her. Elise couldn't quit laughing, but Richard was intently watching the Newsies.

"Marissa, what are those two men doing," Richard finally asked after several minutes.

Marissa looked up from playing with Elise. What two men, Honey?" Richard pointed over to the two Newsies. Marissa smiled when she saw Bumlets and Dutchy selling their papes a few feet away. "Oh, they're Newsies. The one with the glasses is Dutchy and the other one is Bumlets." Both children were now intently staring at them.

Bumlets and Dutchy both noticed Marissa at the same time. Marissa saw them approaching and gave each of the children a penny. When they got there, Elise and Richard both bought a paper. Bumlets and Dutchy talked to each of the twins for a minute before they went on selling their papes.

After they left, Marissa began packing up the picnic. They passed the Newsies again as they left Central Park. They were in the carriage before she brought the Newsies up again.

"How does this sound?" Both children looked up at her. "Every time we have an outing you both buy a paper from a different Newsie." Both children agreed and from then on they bought a pape from a different Newsie every week.

*****

"I'll raise ya." Race threw two nickels onto the pile.

"And, I'll see your raise," Marissa said this as she tossed in her two nickels. Half of the Newsies were sitting behind Race and the other half were behind Marissa. By looking at the pile in the middle of the table anyone could tell the game had been going on for a while. Only two people in the room noticed the phone ring, Les and Boots. Both boys ran for the phone. Less won the race. He picked up the phone while making faces at Boots.

"Hello?"

"Is this Eugene Kloppman," the voice on the other end asked.

Nope, this is Les Jacobs."

"Well, Les, is Kloppman there?"

"Yep, but dere's two of them. Dis is the Lodging House." No one in the room had even noticed the conversation.

"Well, is Marissa Kloppman there?"

"Yeah, hold on." Les pulled the ear piece from His ear. "Heya, Rissa!" Marissa turned from the game to look at Les. "Dere's some guy on the pone for ya."

"Tell him to hold on." Les did this. Marissa turned back to the game. "Well, Race?" Race laid down His cards. He had a pair of kings. Race was obviously pleased with His hand, till Marissa laid her's down. She had a straight. "I win," She exclaimed as she stood up and headed for the phone. "Hello?"

"Hello Marissa. This is Eric."

"Oh, hello, Eric." Blink looked up at that moment. "Yes." She paused for a moment. "Yes." She paused again. "I'll see you then." Shy hung up the phone. Blink was now standing beside her.

"What's dat all about?"

"Eric is taking me to dinner tonight." She smiled as she headed for the stairs. "I have to get ready. He'll be here in an hour and a half." She headed up stairs to get ready. Blink didn't move. He glared after her. Jack walked over to him.

"She's going to dinner with Harrison."

Jack nodded. "If our meant ta be tagetha, den ya 'll be tagetha." That night Marissa went out with Eric and they began seeing each other regularly. Even thought she was with Eric, she still felt something between her and Blink.

As her relationship with Eric got stronger she noticed a tension between Eric and the Newsies.

*****

Two months had passed since she had started seeing Eric. I was not the end of October, and Marissa's birthday. She had gone out to dinner with Eric and they were now walking home. He stopped her just outside of the Lodging House. Which is what he usually did since he didn't like going in unless he had to.

Marissa was ready for her usual distant good night kiss. This was usually a peck which barely brushed her lips. She knew that he was only being gentlemanly, but she really wished that he wouldn't. She also couldn't help wondering if Blink would kiss deeper. She was snapped from her thoughts when Eric said her name.

"Marissa?"

"Yes?"

"I know that we've only been courting for two months now, but I know that I love you." He pulled a box out of His coat. He opened it to show a beautiful ruby ring. "Will you marry me?" Marissa just looked from the ring to Eric and back to the ring.

She didn't know how to answer. She had always imagined herself being astatic over a proposal, but she wasn't. Eric took her left hand and slipped the ring on. Marissa lifted her hand up to look at the ring. It really was beautiful!

She finally found her voice. "Good gracious!"

"Well?" Eric asked as he looked down at her.

"Eric, I ...uh...I'm not sure." She looked up at him. He looked shocked. "Can I think about it?"

Eric nodded. "Wear the ring till you decide." He bent down to her and gave a slightly longer good night kiss. It was longer, but no more deeper or passionate than normal.

Marissa watched him walk down Duane Street. She looked at her ring and let out a confused sigh. She entered the Lodging House and was surprised to find the front room decorated, but there was no one around. She shrugged and headed up the stairs to her room. She opened the door and nearly jumped out of her skin as every Newsie jumped out and yelled surprise. She closed her eyes and placed her hand over her heart. She did this in part out of shock, but mostly to see if her heart was still beating. It only took her a moment to recover. When she did, she started to laugh.

Blink was the first to hug her and wish her a happy birthday. She got the same sensation she always did when they touched, and it didn't help things any. As she hugged each of them the comment came she had been dreading. She was hugging Jack when Mush said it.

"Whoa, Rissa! Where'd ya get da rock?" The room fell silent as they waited for her answer. Blink had been leaning against the door, but now was standing rigid.

Marissa pulled away from Jack and looked at he ring. "Eric gave it to me." She didn't go into any details. She was hoping they would let it go at that, but she knew they wouldn't. Jack asked the question she was now dreading the most, and the one Blink was waiting to hear.

"Is it an engagement ring?" Marissa took a deep breath before she answered.

"Yes." Blink left the moment she said the word. He felt like someone had just ripped His heart out and punched him in the stomach. The only thing he knew was that he needed Marissa and he'd just lost her. He then knew that he needed a stiff drink. So, he headed to the nearest bar.

Marissa looked into the shocked faces of her friends. The only one who looked angry was Jack. Crutchy was the one to break the silence. "Well, congratulations, Rissa."

Marissa looked at Crutchy and shook her head. "Don't congratulate me yet. I haven't given him an answer."

Marissa was hit by a collective, "What?!"

"I told him I had to think about it?"

"So, why are ya wearin' da ring?" Jack asked with anger and confusion in His voice.

"He said to wear it while I make my decision." After she had said that the party went on as the boys had planned.

Everybody went to bed around eleven-thirty p.m. Marissa was suddenly awoken by someone calling her name. She rolled over to find Blink standing be her bed. She rubbed her eyes, but didn't need to slowly wake up. The first thing he said made her wide awake.

"Why are ya gonna marry him?" Marissa looked at Blink then out the attic window.

"What?"

"Why are ya gonna marry him?" Once again she looked from Blink to the window. It was the middle of the night.

"Blink, are you mad? It's the middle of the night! Can't this wait till in the morning?" Blink shook His head and crossed His arms.

"No, I need to know now." Marissa sighed and sat up. She motioned for Blink to sit on the edge of the bed. He did, but he remained rigid.

"First, I haven't accepted the proposal." Blink relaxed slightly.

"Ya haven't?"

"No. Weren't you listening tonight?"

Blink couldn't believe she hadn't noticed him leave. "I left after you said it was an engagement ring." Marissa watched him.

"I haven't decided if I'm marrying him, but since you want reasons why I would." She paused for a moment before giving her reasons. "Well, Eric's a good man. He loves me, and will take good care of me." What Blink said next shocked her.

"Do ya love him?"

"What?"

"Do ya love him?" In your list of reasons ya nevah once said ya love him." Blink could see the shock on Marissa's face as she realized she had never said she loved Eric.

"I do love him." She tried to sound convincing, but she didn't believe it and neither did Blink.

"Really," Blink questioned.

"Yes!" She only sounded a little more convincing, but not much more. Blink didn't say anything for a minute, and when he did he said exactly what he felt.

"I's think day if ya really loved him, ya wouldn't hafta think about accepting the proposal." Marissa didn't say anything. He anger was slowly building. "Ya say ya love him?" Marissa nodded. "I know what it's like ta love somebody. Do ya feel anythin' when your wid him?" Marissa looked at him puzzled.

"Of course I feel things."

Blink continued, "Does your stomach jump when he touches ya? Does your breath catch in your throat when he enters a room? Do ya know he in da room wid out seein' him? Does he make your day betta jus' by seein' him?" Marissa just stared at Blink She didn't know what to say, nor could she answer those questions if she did know what to say. "Ya see, Marissa, I know what it's like ta be in love and dat's how I feel when I'm `round dat person." It took Marissa a few minutes to be able to answer.

"I do not need to explain what I feel to you."

"`Kay, but can I say something else?"

"Why not? Not having my permission hasn't stopped you yet, so why start now?" he town was very cold. Blink, however, didn't pay it any attention.

"I think dat if ya marry him, You'll be making da biggest mistake of your life." Blink then looked her straight in the eye. She was still surprised at how one eye could have so much power over how she felt. "He's not like us, and if ya marry him, he'll take ya away from dose who love ya," he said that part with too much passion. "I just think ya should marry someone whose like ya, dat's awl." Marissa looked at Blink. She expected him to say something else. A small part of her wanted him to say something else, but he didn't.

"Like who," she finally asked.

Blink didn't answer right away. He took her face in His hands. "Like me." He leaned in and kissed her. Marissa took in a sharp breath as she felt the soft kiss through her whole body. The kiss was no deeper than what she was use to, but there was so much passion behind it. She leaned in closer and wrapped her arms around His neck. He took this as His cue to deepen the kiss. MARISSA inhaled again before she tasted something bitter. She broke the kiss and pulled away.

"You've been drinking," she exclaimed as she stood up. "And to think I actually was thinking of leaving Eric for you!" She walked over to the door and opened it. "Get out, Blink!" Blink stood and stopped in front of her.

His voice was even, but His one visible eye showed all of the emotions he was feeling. "I hope ya have a nice life, Marissa, because I won't be in it." He left, and she shut the door behind him and out of her life. The door had barely clicked before she burst into tears.

*****

Blink stumbled into the bunk room around three that after noon. He had only bought twenty papes, and he just sold out. He was so sick. His head was pounding. he heartbeat even sounded like thunder in His ears. His stomach felt like it was tied in knots. He sobered up quickly when he saw His hat and a not laying on His bunk. He picked up the note and read it.

Blink,

I hope you have a good life. I've made my decision.

Marissa

Blink balled up the note and threw it out the window. He picked up His hat and threw it at the wall. He laid down on His bunk and closed His eyes. Marissa began flowing through His mind. Every moment they had ever spent together flashed by. Eventually he fell asleep.

*****

Marissa was unpacking her things when she heard a soft knock on her door. "Come in."

Eric slowly entered. "Karen said you were moving in. Why?"

Marissa took a deep breath. She felt horrible. She was tired. her head hurt from the fact that she had been crying since Blink walked out of her room and out of her life. "I just couldn't live with some things at the Lodging House any longer."

Eric regarded her for a moment. "Some things or someone?" She slowly walked over and touched her arm. "Honey?"

Marissa shook her head. Tears began to fill her eyes again. "I don't want to talk about it." She wiped her eyes and looked up at Eric. She was smiling. "I made my decision. Yes, I'll marry you!" Eric hugged her and gave her His most passionate kiss yet. Marissa enjoyed the kiss, but couldn't help noticing that she didn't feel the same as when Blink had kissed her. She leaned in closer to deepen the kiss, but Eric pulled away the instant she did this.

Marissa just stared at him. It hurt her more than she had ever thought it would. She couldn't take it anymore. She had to know why he pulled away, and why he never kissed her deeply. "Why'd ya pull away?"

"That is not the proper way to behave." Eric didn't hesitate with His answer. His answer angered her so much that she wondered if steam was coming out of her ears.

Surprisingly, her words came out very soft. "Eric, we are now engaged. we can kiss deeper than barely brushing lips." She stepped around him. She turned around at the door. "If you'll excuse me, I still have things to get from the Lodging House." She stopped at the door to grab her hat when she remembered she had given it back to Blink. She closed her eyes to fight the tears that began filling her eyes. She opened them when she heard Eric say her name.

"Marissa." She turned and looked at him before she opened the door and left. Eric just stood there and watched the door close behind her.

Marissa walked into the attic to find Jack, Race and Mush sitting on her old bed. She barely gave them a glance as she walked over to the wall where she had her things packed in boxes. She picked up the top box and started out of the room when Jack grabbed her arm. She turned and saw His glare.

"I had to leave. It wouldn't have worked otherwise."

Mush was the next one to speak. "Fine ya answered my question."

"Now, how `bout answerin' mine?" She looked at Jack. His glare was as cold as His tone. "Why did ya choose Harrison?" She stiffened. She hated how the guys called him by His last name.

"I chose Eric because I love him and want to be with him." She glared at Jack. He was watching her very closely.

"Why don't I believe ya?" He didn't let her answer. "I's know why. Because ya don't sound very convincin'."

"It's been a hard day, Jack. I don't feel like getting into it, all right?" She didn't care what he said; she wasn't going to listen. She pulled out of His hold and left to put the box in the carriage.

When she entered the attic again, Race was the only one there. She looked at him and sighed. "Go ahead, Race, say it."

Race got up, took her hand and led her over to the boxes along the wall. He picked up the picture taken of them when they were eight and Jack was nine. "I don't approve of your choice, but what I want is to make sure ya don't forget us." There was no anger in His voice, only concern. Marissa could feel a lump forming in her throat.

"Oh, Tony, I could never forget my brothers." Race looked up at her. She was a few inches taller than him. He had forgotten she knew His real name. She gave a weak smile. "You, Jack, Mush, and Uncle Gene are all the family I have. I'll come by a couple of times a week to visit and every weekend. If I don't, this place would never get cleaned." She add the last part due to His puzzled look.

"Ya say dat now, but your living in a different world now." Race couldn't finish. He turned away and left the room. Marissa laid the picture down and cried. It took her two more trips before she had all of her things at the Harrison's.

*****

Two months had passed since Marissa had accepted Eric's proposal. She still stopped by the Lodging House on a regular basis, but now she only went by during the day. She couldn't face the boys. They were so indifferent towards her, and Blink left every time she came over. She missed them all, but it was too painful to see them.

The wedding was only a month away and she was constantly busy. She hadn't been able to go to the Lodging House in two weeks.

It was Sunday morning, and she was in church as usual. She wasn't paying the sermon the least bit of attention. Instead she was jotting down notes on what she had to do that week.

1) stop by the florist 2) meet with the priest 3) second fitting for the dress

She looked up from her notes. She didn't feel like a bride who would be married in a month. She felt like everything she was done and everything that need to be done was a chore, not something she was doing with any excitement. She looked back at her list again and got a strange feeling something was wrong. She wrote another note. She looked at it and read it over and over agin.

4) VISIT UNCLE GENE!!!

She kept staring at her list when she felt someone touch her arm. She suppressed the gasp that rose in her throat. She looked at the hand and then at the person it belonged to.

"You nearly scared me to death, Jack," she whispered. She then looked him in the eye. She saw something she had never seen in Jack's eyes, fear. She then realized that Jack was in a church. he had never set foot in a church in His life. She knew something was dreadfully wrong. "Jack, what's wrong?" Neither of them noticed that everyone was staring at them, or that the sermon had stopped. Eric possessively took Marissa's there hand. She didn't feel it. She just concentrated on Jack.

"It's Blink." Marissa's eyes got bigger, and she could barely breathe. "He's real sick." Jack paused. He swallowed hard. "We don't know what's wrong, or if he will...." He couldn't finish. MARISSA knew what he was going to say. She then turned to Eric.

"I have to go." She went to stand, but he stopped her. She looked at him in shock.

"What will people think if you leave with this trash?" MARISSA glared at Eric. Once again, her voice was very quiet.

"Either you let me go now, or you let me go after I cause a scene. Either way I'm going. Besides what will people think if I cause a scene?" She looked at him till he released her hand a moment later. Jack took her other hand and helped her out of the pew. He didn't let go as he pulled her out of the church. He didn't slow down the entire walk back to the Lodging House, but he did explain what was wrong with Blink and why he had come to her for help.

"Yesterday, Blink said he felt strange. We didn't think anything of it. Then Blink and I were selling on Park Row, and he called my name. I turned around in time to see him pass out. I picked him up an' carried him back ta da Lodgin' House. He got a high fever, but he's freezing. he's thirsty, but he won't drink. He can't stay awake. I came ta ya because your da on'y one dat can help. Kloppman is on vacation. He left Medda to stop by and check on us, but taday is her day off. We can't find her. That leaves ya." It hurt that she was their last resort, but she understood. She also knew what was wrong with Blink. Her parents had had the same thing, and they had died from it. He had scarlet fever. She refused to go another step when the reached the Lodging House.

"Jack, have you had scarlet fever?" Jack looked at her funny.

"Yeah, why?"

"That's what Blink has. you need to find out who's had it and who hasn't. Those who haven't need to leave till he's better." Jack nodded and they headed up to the bunk room.

When Jack finished asking if the others who'd had scarlet fever, there were only five left. Jack, Race, Mush, Bumlets and Skittery watched as Marissa checked Blink out. He was burning up and appeared delirious. She untucked the foot of the bed and began rubbing his legs. "Jack, get me a bucket of water and a rag." Jack did as ordered. A few minutes later he appeared with a pot of water and a rag. Marissa was still rubbing Blink's legs.

She took the damp rag that Jack handed her and lightly rubbed blink's face with the rag before she laid it on his forehead. She then went back to rubbing his legs.

She looked at his face. He was so pale that he almost looked dead. She had been rubbing his legs for at least five minutes, and he still hadn't responded. Marissa looked at Jack. Everything she was feeling was reflected in Jack's eyes. She looked at Blink.

"Come on, Blink, wake up." Despite her panic, her voice was very calm. She continued rubbing his legs. Five more minutes passed and still there was no response. She looked at Jack again. Blink wake up." She stopped rubbing his legs and watched him. No response. "Damn it, Jonathon Flanagan, wake up! Don't do this! you are so stubborn about everything else in your life, don't pick now to be the fight you give up on. Don't!" The panic she was feeling was now evident. She began to rub His legs again. This time she did it very hard. Blink groaned. Her head snapped up, and she looked at him. He looked s if he never groaned. She then looked at Jack, who was watching Blink. "Did you hear him?"

Jack never took His eyes off of Blink. "Yeah." Marissa then looked at the others. They all nodded. She went back to rubbing His legs with a new vigor. He groaned again, and this time he moved His head. He tried to pull His leg from Marissa's grip. all had their eyes glued to Blink.

He slowly opened His eye. There was a collective release of air. They had all been holding their breath. He looked at Marissa. He mouthed "hey" before he closed His eye again for a moment. He opened it again and looked at each person in the room. They all gave him weak smiles, but their worry was still evident.

Marissa broke the silence. "All right, now that he's awake, you have to leave." No one moved. "Now!" They all jumped. Jack was the last one to move. "Jack?" Jack reluctantly left. Marissa then took the rag off of Blink's forehead, and she soaked it again. She went to ring it out when he touched her hand. She looked at him.

"Thanks," His voice was barely a whisper. He gave her a weak smile, but it still lit up His pale face.

"You're welcome." His hand dropped as he fell asleep again. She range out the rag and placed it on His forehead again. His fever was still high, but at least she had brought it down from His head. She kept a bedside visual through the night. The next morning Bumlets said he'd watch Blink while Marissa went down stairs to get something to eat.

*****

Eric knocked on the door and the butler opened it. He walked into the parlor expecting to see Marissa and Karen sitting over wedding plans. In stead, he saw Karen sitting in her night dress and wrap. She looked up at Eric. The look of worry on her face got stronger as she looked behind him.

"Where's Marissa?" Her voice was high pitched.

Eric looked puzzled. "You mean she's not here?"

"No. She never came home. I just figured she was with you." Eric didn't say anything for a few moments.

"I know where she is." He turned and left.

Marissa was sitting on the kitchen counter stirring her cold oatmeal. She was talking to Rae, who was doing the same thing. They both looked up when Eric entered the room.

"Marissa, Karen said you didn't come home last night." His tone was cold, but worried.

"She's right. I didn't." She didn't explain any further.

Eric looked at her very closely. She was still wearing the dress she had worn to church. He hair was tangled in a ball just above her shoulders. Her eyes had dark circles under them, which showed her lack of sleep.

"You look a fright." He walked closer.

"Well, it's been a hard twenty-four hours." Race was beginning to feel uncomfortable. He started to get down off the counter so he could leave and give them their privacy. His effort was stopped when Marissa laid her hand on his arm. He scooted back to where he was a second before. "I stayed by Blink's side the whole night. His fever's down, but he's not out of the woods yet." She sounded so tired as she explained her last twenty-four hours.

"Well, since he's better, you can come home." Eric took her hand and pulled her off the counter.

She snatched her arm back. "I can't leave, Eric. Blink still needs me. His fever could go back up at anytime."

"When it does, they can call you." He tried to pull her out of the small kitchen. She dug her heels in and snatched her arm back, again.

"And then I get here too late?" Her tone was sarcastic. "I've already lost two people I love to this fever, my parents. I refuse to loose another." Race's mouth dropped open. Did she just say she loved Blink? No, he just misunderstood her.

Eric looked at her funny, but his expression slowly turned to anger. "And if you did get here too late, then there will be one less street rat on the streets." Race now jumped off the counter.

"Hey!" Race was standing beside Marissa.

"Race, no." She once again placed her hand on his arm. "You ass hole!" She took a deep breath to calm herself. "Eric, Blink is not a street rat." She paused for a second to gather her thoughts. "Actually, he's more of a gentleman than you are." The insult stung, just as Marissa hoped it would.

"How can he be a gentleman," Eric finally asked after he recovered from the insult. "He doesn't even have a real name."

"Jonathon Flanagan. His real name is Jonathon Flanagan. He is a gentleman because he has always treated me with love, unlike you." She looked down at her left hand. She looked back up at Eric. "Ya know, Blink was right. Ya do hate my friends. Your not like me," she looked at Race, "us." She took the ring off. "I can't marry you, Eric. I don't love you. I never did." She once again looked at Race. He was shifting uncomfortably shifting from one foot to the other. "I love Blink. Yes, Eric, I love Jonathon."

Eric stared at her as she placed the ring in his hand. "He won't be bale to provide for you."

Marissa couldn't help smiling. "Money doesn't matter. I've always been poor."

Eric nodded. "I love you, Marissa. How do you know he loves you?"

"I don't, but I can't be with someone I don't love." She turned from him. She knew he was still there. She turned back to him. "Tell, Karen I'll be bay soon to get my things, and that I can't work for her anymore." Eric nodded. "Have a good life, Eric. I do believe you know the way out." She turned back to the counter. Eric turned and left. Marissa could hear the click of his shoes as he left. As she turned back around, race expected to see her crying, but she was smiling.

"Are ya okay?"

Fine." She hugged him. "Race, I'm back."

"We've missed ya, Rissa."

*****

For the next two days Marissa stayed by Blink's side. She only left to eat, and she only did that because Jack made her.

On the third morning, Jack found Marissa sitting beside Blink's bed with her head on the edge of it. She had the rag in her hand. Jack gently woke her.

"Rissa, his fever is breaking. He's going to be fine. Why don't ya go ta your room an' get some sleep?"

She shook her head. "No, Jack, I need to stay with..." She trailed off as she laid her head down again.

Jack gently lifted her up. "Rissa, come on. I'll take ya ta bed." Marissa didn't argue this time. She practically leaned all of her weight on Jack. She laid down on the bed, and was asleep before Jack pulled the covers on her.

Marissa slept for the next day. She woke up when she felt someone sit on the edge of her bed. She slowly opened her eyes. She was expecting to see Jack, but instead she saw Blink. She slowly sat up.

"What are you doing out of bed?"

"I've been up for almost a day." He took her hand in his. "Race told me day ya broke it off wid Harrison." She nodded.

"What else did he tell you?" He heart was pounding so fast that she wondered if he could hear it

"He said dat ya never loved him." He leaned a little closer. "An' dat..." He trailed off as he leaned in and lightly kissed her. She leaned into him. After a minute, they broke the kiss. "I love ya, Rissa."

"I love you, too , Blink." He kissed her forehead. She smiled. "I love you, and because I know you love me, you are going to go back to bed."

Blink stood up and pulled the blankets down. "I'll on'y go ta bed if it's wid ya. Scoot ova." Marissa moved over, and Blink crawled in the bed. She promptly moved into his arms. They slowly drifted off to sleep.